​Overview of Educational Theories & Approaches

Behaviorism: Theory that all things that organisms do (act, think, feel) should be viewed as behaviors, and that disorders are best treated by changing behavior patterns or modifying the environment. Ivan Pavlov and BF Skinner were main influences in behaviorist thought.

Constructivism: Theory developed by Jean Piaget, based on the idea that humans must construct their own knowledge through experiences; through these experiences, we develop schema that expand and develop through assimilation and accommodation.

Developmental Individual-Difference Relationship-based (DIR®):An interdisciplinary, relationship-based approach in which people with challenges in relating and communicating are seen as unique individuals with unique sensory profiles. Treatment is done using these individual differences as a guide in order to develop relationships and functional emotional developmental capacities.

Information Processing: Cognition is seen as computer-like in nature, with the mind being like software and the brain being like hardware.

Lindamood Bell: The Lindamood-Bell approach includes three primary programs: Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® (LiPS®), Seeing Stars, and Nancibell® Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking® (Visualizing and Verbalizing® or V/V®).

Social Cognitive: A learning theory based on the idea that people learn from watching others, and that the interconnected influences of behavior, cognition and environment influence development. Social cognitive theorists include A. Bandura and W. Mischel.

Theory of Multiple Intelligences: Developed by Howard Gardner. Intelligence is seen as multi-faceted. Various types of intelligence include: Spatial, Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Bodily-kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and Naturalistic.

Visual-Cognitive Intelligence: Intelligence is subdivided into four categories (the first three were developed by Piaget and Furth, and the fourth was developed by Furth and Wachs): biological intelligence, sensor-motor intelligence, operational intelligence and body and sense thinking. Theory developed by Jean Piaget, Hans Furth and Harry Wachs. ​